Heel-machine



E. E. WINKLEY.

HEEL MACHINE.-

APPLICATION FILED MAYIY. 1916.

1, '72,059. Patented M212 22, 1921.

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I .1 zameaa, 9 Inf/ m E. E. WINKLEYK HEEL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 1916.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. E. WINK'LEY.

HEEL MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED MAY 17. 1916.

EET 3.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

7 SHE 1 l I 4 l l l l Ill 1 Magi E. E. WINKLEY. HEEL MACHINE. APPLICAUO N FILED MAY III 1916. 1 372 059 Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Zdzzkess, Jmvemz' MQW E. E- WINKLEY.

HEEL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYII, 191s.

Patented Mar. 22,1921.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

1 E. WINKLEY..

HEEL MACHINE.

AVPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 1916.

1,372,059. Patented Mar. 22,1921;

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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E'. E. WINKLEY.

'HEEL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, I916.

Patented Mal 22, 1921.

7 SHEETS-SHE'ET 1- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERASTUS E. WINKLEY, 0F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, .ASSIGNOB, BY MES ZNE ASSlIGN- MENTS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PA'IERSON, NEW JER- SEY. A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

HEEL-MACHINE.

Application filed May 17,

To all whom it 777.66?! concern Be it known that LEnAs'rUs l1]. lViNKLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at flunn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

This invention relates to a machine tor use in the manufacture of shoe-heels.

n. the nmnutfacture of shoe-heels of the cheaper grades it is common to form the heel oi a body-portion of leatherboard or other comparatively inexpensive material, and one or more layers or lifts of leather, these liilts being attached to the body-portion, at least in a ten'iporary manner, 'prior to the application of the heel to the other parts of the shoe. This method. of manutacture therefore involves, as a distinct step, the operations of applying the leather hits to thebody of the heel, either before or after it has received its appropriate form, and of e-. ecuring the litts. at least temporarily, to the body.

in object of the present invention is to produce a machine for performing rapidly and accurately the operations above described, or any operations analogous thereto, in the manufacture of shoes, and particularly of shoe-heels.

Other objects of the invention, and the features of construction by which. they are attained, will be set tliorth hereinafter, in con nectioi'l. with the description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

lln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front-elevation of a machine embodying. the present invention; l ig. 2 is a plan-view of the machine; Fig. is a front-elevation, on a larger scale than Fig. 1, showing particularly certain parts at the upper portion oi the machine, and partly in vertical. section; Figs. 4. and 5 constitute, together, a sideelevation of the machine, looking from the right in Fig, 1, with parts of the nailing-mechanism omitted; Fig. his a horizontal section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1, but on p a larger scale than the latter figure; Fig.7

is a horizontal section on the line 7-7 in Specification of Letters Patent.

1916. Serial No. 98,021.

Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8-8 in Fig. 6, but on a larger scale than the latter figure.

The invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine adapted to operate as one 01' a series by which various operations are pertermed upon heel-blocks or bodies, which are brought to and removed from each machine in the series by means of a chain-conveyer. 1n the present machine, accordingly, the heelblo'eks B are carried on the upper stretch of a chain comprising a series oi. flat links 10, which are supportedand guided tl'irmigh the machine on horizontal rails 12, the chain being provided, at its pivotal connections, with rollers 16 which run upon the rails. The chain-links serve also as supports for the heel-blocks during the operation of superposing and nailing the leather hits to them, and this operation occurs during dwells in the movement of the chain.

It will be understood that the chain moves intern'littentl5 through the space of one link. The Ineansior so moving the chain are not illustrated in the present application, but it may be understood that the present machine is used in sequence with another machine which is provided with such means; for example, with the machine disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,102,310 granted J uly 7, 1914 to the present inventor. In that machine means are provided for moving the conveyer-chain intermittently through the space of one link, and then locking it in statiomu' position. It is consequently unnecessary to provide chain-actuating mechanism in the present machine.

ln the drawings, untormed heel-bloclts B are shown as comprising stacks oi hits or layers, each of polygonal term. These blocks are to be rounded, as a subsequent operation, to impart the proper form for a heel. In .so tar as the present invention, in its lu'oadest aspects, concerned, it is immaterial whether the heel-blocks be so termed before or after the operation of the n'esent machine, and accordingly it will be understood that the term heel-block, as used herein, may relate either to a block of angular or unfinished ori n, or to ablock or body which is formed of suitablvrounded layers or which has been subjected prechain, and each link is provided with a flange 14: which is engaged by, and which determines the position of, the breast-surface'of the heel-block during the operation of the machine. In order to insure such engagement, and also to locate the block accurately in the middle of the link transversely thereof, two arms 18 are employed, these arms being mounted upon vertical pivots 2O fixed in brackets depending from the table 22 of the machine. The arms 18 are connected together, to provide for equal movement in opposite directions, by means of arms 24: (Fig. 2) which are provided With intermeshing gear-teeth at their ends. A spring 26, attached to one of the arms at (Fig. 3), tends to rock them in a direction to swing the arms 18 toward each other. The arms 18 terminate in thin blades 28, which engage the opposite sides of the heel-block as it is drawn into the machine upon the chain, and these blades center the block transversely, and at the same time, by their friction, draw the block into firm engagement with the flange 14.

In the present machine, two leather lifts T are superposed on each heel-block, and

1 are fixedthereto by two nails driven at separate points on the center line of the lifts. The lifts are applied to, and superposed on, the heel-block by a rotary mechanism comprising four clamps, and the lifts are introduced into these clamps, in turn, by the operator, with the assistance of certain gaging-devices.

Each clamp comprises upper and lower .jaws' 30 and 32,'which are arranged to engage the lifts at the forward corners only, the jaw 30'being cut away in the middle to avoid interference with the nailing-mechanism. The jaw 30 has two depending portions 34, as shown in Fig. 3, which engage the upper surface of the upper lift. The lower jaw 321s provided with a thin lip 36, having a beveled edge which engages the lower surface of the lower of the two lifts, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. This thin lip is used in order that the lifts may be nailed to the body of the heel while still held by the clamp, and that after the nailing operation the heel may be readily withdrawn from the lip by the movement of the chain.

The four clamps are given a step-by-step rotary movement through an angle of about a vertical axis, at each operation of the machine, in order that they may he moved successively from a receiving point to the point at which the lifts are applied to the heel-blocks. For this purpose a shaft 38 is mounted in a vertical bearing-sleeve 40 on the frame of the machine, at one side of the conveyer-chain. Above the table 22. the shaft carries a spider comprising a hub 42, which is keyed to the shaft, and four 7 arms 44: radiating from the hub. Each arm is provided, at its outer end, with a vertical sleeve l6 which constitutes a hearing for a slide-rod 48. The lower jaw 32 of ach clamp is integral with an upright frame 50 so which is provided, at its upper and lower ends, with sleeves 52 and 54: in which the slide-rod 18 is fixed. This arrangement affords provision not only for the support of the clamp-jaw upon the spider, but also for as vertical movement of the jaw, this movement being utilized for the purpose of lowering the clamp, when in position above the conveyer-chain, to apply to or bring the lifts carried by the clamp into engagement with the upper surface of the heel-block.

To prevent swinging movement of the clamp about the axis of the rod 18. the lower jaw 32 is provided also with a slide-rod 56 projecting rigidly upwardly therefrom and movable in a bearing in the arm at, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The upper jaw 30 is supported upon the lower jaw and the frame 50, so as to have vertical movements in unison therewith, but is also arranged to ha-. e independent vertical movement for the purpose of clamping and releasing the. top lifts. To this end, a vertical guide-rod 58 is fixed. at its lower end, to the. jaw 32, and

at its upper end to a lug (32 on the corre- 10a spending frame 50. This guide-rod passes through an opening in the jaw 30, and the jaw is provided also with an upwardlly ex tending sleeve G t which slides upon the rod and maintains the jaw 30 in par: llel relation to the jaw 32. .i. spring G6, coiled around the rod 58, tends to force the jaw 30 downwardly into clamping relation with the lifts.

The intermittent partial rotary move- 11.3 ment of the shaft 38 is produced by mechanism shown particularly in Figs. 1. 5. (i and 8. At the lower end of the shaft is fixed a gear 68, and alongside this gear :1 rod '70 is mounted on the frame of the machine. Upon the rod, a lwl-ting-frame is mounted, this frame comprising two longitudinal bars 72 and 74:, which are parallel with the rod 70. and tr: nsverse endanembers T6 and 78 6) which are, perforated 12-3 to bear upon the rod 70 and which also engage hearings on the frame of the machine, so as to prevent longitudinal move ment of the locking-frame.

\Vithin the space spanned by the lockingframe, a sleeve 80 is mounted to turn, and also to slide longitudinally on the rod 70. This sleeve has an outwardly projecting segment 82 which bears, at its lateral extremities, against the surface of the bars 72 and 74:, as shown in Fig 8, so that the sleeve participates in all rocking movements of the locking-frame. The segment 82 is provided with a series of gear-teeth of partly annular form, and the bar 74 is also pro vided with corresponding gear-teeth at that portion which is adjacent the gear 68. r

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8, the teeth 8d engage the teeth of the gear and serve to lock it againstrotative movement. By a rocking movement of the frame and the sleeve, however, the teeth 84 may be disengaged from the gear and the teeth on the segment 82 may be brought into engagement with the gear. By a longitudinal movement imparted to the sleeve 80 1'0- tation of the gear may be produced, and at the end of this movement the gear may again be locked by the teeth 84:, while the sleeve 80is returned to its original position.

In order to produce the rocking movement of the parts above referred to, the lockingframe is provided, at one end, with a bifurcated arm 86 which is connected, by a universal joint 90, with a rod 88. The lower end of the rod 88 is connected to an arm 92 which projects from a sleeve 9d j ournaled on a horizontal rod 96 fixed on. the frame of the machine. A. second arm 98, project ing from the sleeve, carries a roller 100 which actuated by engagement with a ram 102. This cam is fixed on the powershaft 10d of the machine.

The power-shaft is provided with a sprocket-wheel 106 which is connected, by a sprocket-chain 108, with a suitable source of power. Since the present machine must operate in timed coordination with the other niaciines to which the heel-blocks or heels are fed by the conveyer-chain, positive drivingmeans, such as the sprocket-chain just described, is necessarily used, and it will be ruiderstood that this chain may connect the power-shaft with a driveshaft or mechan ism common to the several machines of the oted on the rod 96, and this lever is providcd with a roller 114: which engages a cam .1 l6 on the power-shaft 1.04. It is desirable to arrest the rotation of the gear 68 eccura tely in order to insure the exact superposition or application of the lifts on the lu-el-bloclrs, and for this purpose dependence isnot placed on the use of the gear-teeth 84 alone, since a certain amount of play necessarily occurs in the gear-mechanism. Accordingly, the gear 68 is provided with four equally spared tapered holes 118, and with these holes a locking-bolt 120 roiiperates, this bolt being mounted to slide in a vertical bearing 011 the frame of the machine, and having a tapered lower end adapted to fit in the holes 11.8. The bolt is connected with an arm 122, fixed on a rock-shaft 12d which is journaled on the frame of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. A second arm 126 on the rock-shaft is pivoted to a depending link 128, of which the lower end is slotted to receive the end of a pivot-pin 130 in the arm 86. A, spring 132, attached to the arm 126, acts normally to hold the bolt 120 in raised position, but when the arm 86 is swung downwardly the arms 126 and are swu downwardly by the link, so that the bolt is lowered into engagement with one of the holes 118. Prior to this engagement, the gear-teeth 84; retain. the gear 68 in position with suflicient accuracy to permit the tapered end of the bolt to find its seat in the hole.

Each clamp receives the lifts while it is in a position above the table 22, but is then depressed after it has been. swung to a lift applying position above the conveyer-chain. The vertical movements of the clamp are controlled by canr'mechanism, and for this purpose a roller 13% is journaled on each frame 50, and these rollers engage a cam 136 supported in horizontal position concentric with the shaft 38.. The cam 1.36 is formed integral with a sleeve 138, and to prevent rotation of the cam this sleeve is provided, at its upper end, with a head 14:2 whichissquared so as to be embraced by the forked end of an arm 1410. This arm is pivotedyat 144 on an upright I46 fixed to the table 22.

The shaft 38 is provided, above the table 22, with a fixed. collar 148, and the hub 42 of the clamp-carrying spider supported by this collar, while it is caused to rotate with the shaft by a vertical key. A sleeve 150 surrounds the reduced upper part of the shaft-and engaged, at the upper end, by a washer 152 fixed in place by a nut 153 .1: which is screwed on the threaded upper extremity of the shaft.

The sleeve 150 retains the hub 4L2 against vertical movement and in engagement with the collar 148, while the washer and nut 154. retain the sleeve 150 in position and also re tain the hub 138 of the cam 186 against vcrtical movement. lVhenever it is desired. to disassemble this part of the mechanism it can be readily done by removing the nut 154. and swinging the arm TAO out of engagement with the head 142. Therenpon the parts 42, 138and 1.50 may all be removed vertically from the shaft, carrying with them the entire clamp-mechanism.

The operative surface oft-he cam 136 is for theniost part horizontal, but, as shown in Fig. 2, there is a gap in the cam which perits the roller 134i to fall when the corresponding clamp is superposed over one of the heel-blocks on the conveyor-chain. Beyond. the gap thecam is provided with an inclined surface 156 to insure the subsequent rising movement of the clamp.

The lift-receiving position of the clamps is at the front of the machine, where each clamp in turn comes to rest with the lip of the lower jaw just above the table. The machine is shown as arranged for the application of two hits to each heel-block, and these lifts are introduced into the clamp manually by the operator of the machine. To facilitate this operation. lift-gages 158 are employed, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3. These gages cooperate with the lateral edges of the lifts, and are in the form of flat blades mounted in pairs on a V- shaped gage-support 162. The gages are slotted, and are fixed adiustably to the support by binding-screws 164 passing through the slots. The lifts are laid up on a portion 3.60 of the table of the machine. which projects between the two arms of the lift-supwhenv the lifts are introduced between them and slid rearwardly they will enter between the jaws of the clamp in the proper position. As shown. in Fig. 3 the gages are so set as to coiiperate with two lifts. of "which the upper one is slightly narrower than the lower one.

Prior to the movement of the clamp by which it is removed from the lift-receiving position, it is necessary to raise the gages out of the path of movement of the clamp. For this purpose the clamp-support 162 is mounted to swing upon a horizontal pivot 166. as shown in Fig. l, and is provided with an arm 168 connected to the upper end of a rod 140. The lower end of the rod 18 connected to an'arm 172 of a bell-crank lever which is mounted on the rod 96, the other arm 1% of this lever being provided with a roller 176' which engages a path in the cam 102.v This cam-mechanism acts to swing the gage-support and the gages upreaches the lift-receiving position, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3.

After the lifts have been introduced into the clamp and before the clamp is moved away from the receiving position, it is necessary to release the upper jaw so that the lifts may be gripped. For this purpose :ucans are provided for imparting a slight longitudinal movement to the com 182. so as to disengage it from the roller 180 prior to the rotary movement of the clamp-moch anism. The cam is integral with a head 18%, which is fixed on two horizontal rods lSth These rods slide in hearings on two uprights 188 and 190 rising from the table 2:1. The right-hand ends of the rods are connected by a yoke 192. and the yoke is (opium-tra t. lay 1; link 19h with the upright arm of a hell-crank lover 196 which is pivoted on the table. The other arm of the lever is connected, by a rod 198. with an arm 20 which is fixed on a rock-shaft 202 journalod on the frame of the machine. The rock-shaft carries another arm 204-. which is pivoted to a link 206. The slotted inner end of this link embraces a pin 208 on the arm 112. and the time of operation of this arm is such that it acts. at the proper moment. to pull upon the link 206 and thus. through the connections above described. to cause a movement of the head 181- and the cam 1.82 to the left, thus removing the cam from beneath the roller 180 and permittingthe lat-- for to fall and rcloasthe upper clamp jaw 30.

The machine is shown as provided with means for fasteningthe leather lifts to the heel-blocks by means of nails. These means comprise a nailing-machine or mechanism including a nozzle 210 through which th nails are discharged into the work. a hopper in which the supply of nails is held. a chute 214- through which the nails are fed to the nozzle. a driver 216. and mechanism 218 for actuating the driver through a fixed length of stroke. The construction of the nailing-mechanism is not particularly illustrated or described herein. for the reason that any ordinary or suitable form may be employed in connection with the present machine, that which is partly illustrated being a well known commercial form of nailing-machine. such for instance as shown and described in a Patent No. 490.621: to Go-fldu, which operates in the present innce in the usual manner.v except in so far as its operation is hereinafter described.

In the present machine. in which the lifts are secured to the heel-blocks by two nails drive separate points on the longitudinal axis of the heel. it is necessary, after the lifts have been brought into position over the heel-block. iirst to lower the nailingmechanism bodily until the nozzle 210 is brought into measuring engagement with the upper lift. then to operatethe mechanism to drive one nail flush with the uppermost surface of said lift, then. to shift the nozzle to the second position, along the surface of the lift, then to ope *atethe mechanism to similarly drive the other nail, and then to raise the nozzle from the work and return it to its original position.

To produce the movements of the nozzle of the nailing-mechanism the frame 220 of this mechanism is provided with a depending stem 222, which is journaled in a bed 224 on which the frame is supported. This bed is pivoted, at its rear end, on a horizon tal axis 226 on the frame of the machine, and cam-mechanism is employed to rock the bed and consequently the entire nailing meclninism upwardly about this axis when the nozzle is to be raised from engagement with the work. For this purpose the for ward end of the bed is connected with de-- .ng links 228, of which the slotted lower ends embrace the ends of a pivot-stud 230 in. the end of an arm 232, as shown in Figs. and (l. The arm 232 constitutes one arm bell-crank lever, of which the lower i i connected (Fig. 5) through a link with the upper end of the cam-lever the timing of this cam-lever being suitto raise and lower the nailing mechanism at the proper times in the cycle of opcrations.

The cam mechanism obviously always raises the nailing mechanism, as a whole, and the nozzle in particular, to a predetermined fixed height, but the lowering move ment is determined, by each individual heel. operated upon, inasmuch as the nozzle engages the uppermost lift of the heel and thus measures or accommodates itself to the height of the heel.

During the nailing-operation, it is desirablc to support that link of the conveyen chain on which the work rests more firmly than. can be done by the guidca'ods 12, and ilircctly beneath the point of operation of the nailing-mechanism. Forthis purpose a plumrer 236 is arranged to slide vertically in a guideway directly beneath the point of operation of the nailin g-mechanism. This plimger is connected, by link 238, with one a e of a bell-crank lever 5A0, which is giivotci'l. at 24-2 on the frame of the machine. The other arm of the lever is connected, by a link 24 1, with the pivot-stud 230 in the lever 239. Accordingly, when the lever 1232 is rocked to lower the nozzle 210 against the work, the plunger 236 is simultaneously raised into engagement with the lower surface of the chain-link, and is firmly supported in this position by the toggle-like action of the link 238 and the lever 240.

Nailingmechanism of the type illustrated has a fined length of driving stroke and provided with means, for throwing it into operation, including a slide 24:6 movable vertically at the side of the frame 220, as shown in Fig. at, the mechanism being thrown into operation by depressing this slide. in the present machine the mechanism is thrown into operation automatically, and for this purpose a pin 2.4.8, projecting from the slide, engaged by one end of a lever 250 pivoted on the frame 220. The rear end of the lever is connected, by a link with one arm of a bell-crank lever 254;, which is pivoted on the rod 5234; (Figs. 4 and 6). As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the depending arm of the lever 254i is provided with a roller which engages the periphery of a earn 256 mounted on the cam-shaft 10 1. This cam has two raised portions 258, which are so located as to throw the nailing-mecha nism into operation, through the connections just described, at the proper times to drive the two nails as aforesaid.

By reason of the fact that the nailing mechanism is preliminarily lowered until the nail nozzle engages or measures the particular heel operated upon, the fixed length of stroke of the actuating mechanism 5218 causes the driver 216 to drive the head of the nail flush with the uppermost surface of the heel.

In order to swing the nozzle of the nailinguuechanism from one nail-driving posi tion to the other, the stem 222 is provided. with two laterally projecting arms 260, 2 and i) and a vertical. rod 262 islixed in these arms. A slide 26%, movable upon this rod, is pivoted to the upper end of a lever 266 which. turns upon the rod 234. list shown. in Fig. 5, the lower arm. of the lever 266 is connected, by a pivot 268, with a linl "i0 mnnccted with the upper end of a cam-lever The cam-lever is mounted to turn on the rod 96, and is provided with a roller 274: which engages a path 276 in the cam E256. This mechanism causes the nail .iug mechanism to be swung about the axis of the a. 5322' at the proper times in the operation of the machine, and in order that the amplitude of this movement may be adjusted the lever 266 is provided with a se rice of holes, as shown in Fig. 5, to receive the pivot 53bi shiftingthe pivot from one hole to another, the distance between the two nails driven into the lift may be varied in acrordance with the size of the heels which are being manufactured.

The descending and rising movements of the clamp, by which the'lifts are delivered upon or applied to the heelblock, are timed by the operation of the nailing-mechanism. For this purpose an arm 278 is pivoted, near the top of the frame 220 of the nailing mechanism, in position to descend upon the up per end of the stem 48 of the clamp when the nozzle 210 is lowered into engagement with the lift. A spring 280 presses the arm 278 downwardly against a stop 282 on the frame 220, so that the arm acts yieldingly to thrust the clamp down into engagement with the heel-block; regardless of the thickness of the latter.

The succeeding rising movement of the clamp-is produced by a plunger 284, which slides vertically through hearings on the frame of the machine. This plunger carries, at its upper end, an arm 286 of which the end lies, as shown in 7, beneath the lower end of the rod 48 of the clamp which is in cooperative relation with the heel-block. A spring 288, coiled about the rod 28%, tends to raise the rod and the arm so as to lift the clamp to its upward position. To prevent the rod 284 and the arm 286 from turning out'of operative position, an arm 290, fixed to the rod, is provided with a vertical sliderod 292 which moves in a bearing on the frame of the machine,

The operation of the machine, as a. whole, is as follows: The cam-shaft'rotates constantly and in timed relation withthe mechanism by which the c'onveyer-chain is intermittently moved. The clamp-mechanism, therefore, performs repeated quarter-rotations with succeeding intervals of rest. During each such interval the operator introduces one or more lifts between the lift pages, and the upper clamp-jaw is then automatically released and permitted to en gage and clamp the lifts. At the next succeeding rotation of the clamp-mechanism, the lifts are brought into position above a heel-block on the conveyer-chain, which at the same time comes to rest. The nailingmechanism then swings downwardly bodily about the pivot 226. thereby moving;- the clamp downwardly so as to bring the lifts into engagement with and apply the lifts to the top of the heel-block. The nozzle of the nailing-mechanism then engages the uppermost lift, irrespective of the heis ht of thc heel. Atthe same time the nailingmechanism is thrown into operation so as to drive a nail a fixed distance through the lifts and into the heel bloclr with its head flush with the upper surface of the heel. The nailing:- mechanism then swings to its second position of operation and after again measuring or accommodating itself to the height of the heel, drives a second nail flush with the heel surface. The nailirig-mechanism is then raised so as to disengage the work and release the lift-clamp. which thereupon rises to its normal. upward position. The conveyerchain then advances so as to bring: afresh heel-block into position for operation, and at the same time the nailing-mechanism swings back to its original position, and the clamp-mechanism, having received fresh lifts from the operator, again rotates, thus initiating a new. cycle of operations.

While nails are the preferred means for securing the lifts to the heel-blocks, and accordingly the machine is provided with nailing-medianism of a well known type, it will be apparent that other means may be employed for the purpose in question. and that the invention, in general, is not limited to the embodiment thereof hercinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but may be embodied in various other forms within the nature of the invention as it is defined in the following claims.

That is claimed as new, is

1. A heel-machine, having, in combination. means for feeding and supporting an unformed heel-block con'lprising a plurality of lifts that are polygonal in plan; means for moving said heel-block into definite position upon said first means; and means for applying and fixinp a formed lift to said unformcd heel-block in a predetermined relation thereto.

- A heel-machine having, in combination, means for supporting a n'eviously 'iOlll'lGtl unitary heel-block in definite position; and means for superposina' a lift upon the block and for nailing the lift thereto while it remains in said position.

3. A. hecl-machine, having, in combination, a flexible -onveyer for supporting a heel-block and for moving: it into and out of a lift-receiving position; and means for applying and fixing a lift to the heel-block in said position.

4. A heel-machine. having, in combination. means for feeding, and supporting an unformed heel-block comprising a plurality of lifts that are polygonal in plan and are assembled with their breast edges inalinenient; means acting upon the sides of said block as the block is fed for moving said heel block into definite position upon said first means; means v or positioninga formed lift upon said heel-block with its breast edge in the same plane with the breast edges of the component li ts of said heclblocl and means for fiX' i said formed lift thereto.

5. ."L heel-machine. having", in combination, a single mechanism for intermittently feeding: heel-blocks into and out of a liftrecciving position; mechanism for applyin; and securing a lift to each block in said liftreceiving; position; and means for actuating said second mechanism during a period of rest of said first mechanism.

6. A. heel-machine. having, in combination, a com'eyer for supporting and inter mittently feeding a series of heel-blocks; means acting during: periods of rest of said conveyer for applying; a lift to each heclblock on the conveyer: and mechanism disposed at the lift-applying position and acting: in timed cooperation with the applying?- means, for driving a fastening through the lift and into the heel-block.

Hit)

7. A heel-machine, having, in combination, means for supporting a heel-block; means for applying a lift to the block; and means for successively driving a plurality of nails through the lift and into the heelhlock at separate points on the face of the lift.

8. A. heel-machine, having, in combination, a heel-block support; nailing-mechanism; means for applying a lift to a heelhloclc resting on said support; and mechanism for actuating the na-iling-mechanis:n a plurality of times and for producing, between such actuations, a relative lateral movement of the nailing-anerhanism and said support, whereby a plurality of nails are driven to secure the lift to the heelblock at a plurality of points.

9. A heel-machine, having, in combination, a heelhlock support; nailing-mechanism; means for applying a lift to a heelblock on said support; and means operating, in timed sequence, to move the nailing-mechanism into and out of engagement with the lift on the heel-hlock, throw the nailing-- mechanism into operation, and produce a relative movement of the heel-lolock support and the nailingmechanism to change the point of engagement of said mechanism with the lift.

10. A heel-machine having, in combination. means for supporting and intermittently supplying heel-hlocks in succession;.

an intermittently movable carrier into which lifts may he introduced at receiving-point and by which they are carried from said point to-a point of application to the heelblocks; and means disposed at said point of application for applying and fastening the lifts to the blocksduring a period of rest of said supplying means, i

ll. heel-machine, having, in combination, a heel -hloek support; carrier for movinn: a lift from a receiving-point to a point of application to a heel-block on said support; and a gage, located at the receiving point to engage the edge of a lift and as sist the operator in introducing the lift to the carrier.

12. A heel-machine, having, in combination, a heel-block support; and means for supplying a lift to a block on said support, said means comprising, a clamp adapted to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the lift and to move, from a receivingpoint, to a point at which the lift applied in proper position to the block.

'13. A heel-machine, having. in combina tion, a heel-block support; and means, for supplying a lift to a block on said support, comprising a clamp arranged to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the lift, one of the clamp-j aws having a thin extremity. and

meansifor moving the clamp into position to apply the to the heel block, with into position to apply the lift to a heelblock on said support.

15. A heel-machine, having, 111 comblna tion, a heel-block support; a lift-clamp and mechanism operating automatically to open the clamp for the reception of a lift; close the clamp upon the lift, move the clamp, in. a plane parallel with the face of the heelhlock 011 said support, into a position of registry with the block, and then move the clamp toward the block to engage the lift therewith.

16. A heel-machine, having, in combination, a heel-lolock support; a lift-clamp adapted to engage the upper and lower surfaces of a lift adjacent its breast edge; means for moving the clamp into position to apply the lift to the heel-hlock; means for fixing the lift to the block; and means for moving the block-support away from the tlamp in the direction of the plane of the lift and with the breasteeclge in the rear.

17. A heeLmachine, having, in combination, means for feeding, and for supporting. in definite position, a succession of unformed heel-blocks; and means operating automatically to apply and afiix, to each block, a formed heel-lift. with the breast-edge of the lift alining with one end of the block and the center-line of the lift registering with the center-line of the block.

18. 'A heel-machine, having, in combina tion, means for feeding, and for supporting in definite position, a heel-block that is polygonal in plan; and means operating automatically to apply and afiix, to the block, a formed lift, with the front, rear, and lateral extremities of the lift located within the outline formed by the corresponding edges of the block. a

19. A heel-machine, having. in combination, a heel-block support; a clamp, for carrying a heel-lift from a point of reception. to

apoint of application to a block on said. support, said clamp having jaws adapted to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the lift: a gage, locatedat said receiving-point, for engaging the lateral edge of the lift to locate the lift laterally during its introduction into the clamp; means for moving the clamp laterally from the receiving point; and means for moving the out of the path of movement of the clamp prior to said movement.

ill l, A heehmaehine. having, in combination, an intermittently movable chain conveyor having links upon which independent heel blocks are severally adapted to rest;

the free surface of each heel-block when it reaches a predetermined point in itstravel.

22.1% heel-machine having, in combination, means for supporting a previously assembled unitaryheel-hlock and for intermittently moving it through a lift-receiving. position in a single direction; and means for transversely moving a lift into position adjacent said heel-block, and for applying and fixing it thereto during a period of rest of said first means.

A heel-machine, having-in combination, means for intermittently feeding a plu rality of heel-blocks; and rotary means for presenting lifts into lift-applying position and subsequently during periods of rest of said feeding means for applying lifts to the several heel-blocks.

24. A heel-machine, having, in combination, means for supporting a heel-lolocir; means for applying a lift thereto; and means for successively driving a plurality of nails through said lift and into said heelblock.

25. A heel-machine. having, in combination, means for supporting a heel-block; means for applying a lift thereto; means for successively driving nails through said. lift and into said heel-block; and. means for changing the relative position of said driving means with respect to said heelhlockiand associated lift after each driving operation.

26. A heel-machine, having, in combina tion, a heel-block support. a carrier for transferring a lift from a point of reception to a point of application to a block upon said support; and a guide member, disposed at the receiving-point. for locating the lift laterally during its introduction into said carrier.

27. A feeding mechanism for heel-machines, having, in combination, means for supporting a series of heel-blocks and effecting their actuation; means for alining said blocks upon said supporting means. and means for applying and fixing lift-s to said blocks.

28, A feeding mechanism for heel-ma.- chines having. in combination. an endless conveyer for supporting and moving a series of blocks disposed thereon and guiding or positioning means for engaging each block as it is moved past for alining said blocks upon the conveyor.

29. A feeding mechanism for heel-machines, having, in combination, a movable chain conveyer having a plurality of links for severally supporting a series of heelblocks; each of said links having :1 breastplate; and single means cooperating with each block as it is moved past for uliniug said blocks and positioning them agaiusi the breast-plates.

30. A heel-machine, having. in combination, a heel-block support; m ans for applying and fixing a lift to the block on said support; and means for firmly engaging said support during the fixing operation to give rigidity thereto.

31. A heel-machine, having, in combination, a plurality of block supports, a rotatahle carrier for feeding and applying lifts to the several heel hlocl-Is upon said supports; and means for positively locking said carrier in its several lift-applying positions.

32. A heel-machine. having, in combination, a movable conveyor for supporting a plurality of heel-blocks; and a multi-arin carrier disposed at the side of said conveyor for successively feeding and applying lifts to the several heel-blocks as they are moved past said carrier.

33. A heel-machine, having, in combination, means for supporting r. heel-hloelz: means for applying a lift thereto: means for successively driving nails through said lift and into said block in spaced relation; and means for adjusting the spacing of said nails.

34. A heel-machine having, in combination. a heel-block support for carrying a previously formed unitary heel-block into and out, of a lift-receiving position; and means acting While the heel-block occupies said position for applying and nailing a lift thereto.

35. A heel-machine having, in combination, a heel-block support for carrying a heel-block in steps into and out of a liftreceiving position; means for applying a lift to said heel-block While in said position and means for nailing said lift to said heelblock while in said position.

36. A heel-machine having. in combination, a series of intermittently movable supports for carrying a plurality of heelblocks through a lift-receiving position; and means functioning during periods of rest of said supports for applying and nailing lifts to the successive heel-blocks while in said position.

37. A heel-machine having. in eon'ihination. means for intermittently feeding a succession of unitary heel-blocks; and means operating when each heel-block reaches a predetermined position and during a period of rest of said feeding means for successively applying and nailing heel-lifts to said heelblocks.

38. A heel-machine having, in combinaiii tion, means for supporting and actuating a heel-block; means acting While the heelblock is on said first means for moving said heel-block into a definite position thereon; and means for applying and fixing a lift to said heel-block. r p

39. A heel-machine having, in combination, a series of supports adapted to carry a series of heel blocks that severally rest thereon; a single alining device for engaging and positioning the heel-blocks upon said supports as they are carried past; and means for applying and securing lifts to said heel 40.A heel-machine having, in combination, a plurality ofsupports for advancing heel-blocks that are disposed thereon; means for applying and fixing lifts to the successive blocks upon said supports; and means for firmly enga ing each support as it reaches the applying and fixing position for lending rigidity thereto during the fixing operation.

41. A heel-machine having, in combination, a horizontal support upon which a heelpile rests, means for engagin the lateral surfaces of the heel-pile and de nitely locating it upon the support, and a nailing mechanism constructed and arranged to accommodate itself to any height of heel-pile and to drive a nail therein with its head flush with the upper surface thereof.

42. A heel-machine having, in combination, means for feeding a succession of heelpiles into a nailing position, and a nailing mechanism located at said position for operating upon the successive heel-piles, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to automatically measure the height of the successive heel-piles and to drive nails there in with their heads flush with the upper surfaces thereof.

43. A heel-machine having, in combination, a movable conveyer supported in relatively fixed position for feeding a succession of-heel-piles into a nailing position, and a nailingmechanism adapted to engage the upper surface of each heel-pile and to drive a nail flush therewith.

ERASTUS E. WINKLEY. 

